On
this Raw Islam Podcast, we are talking inclusion, but before we get into the
meat of the conversation; Imam Azhar wants to talk about the tensions between
India and Pakistan.

The
Imam admits right out the gate that neither he, nor B.C. Dodge, are experts on
war or technical strategists. However, it does not take someone skilled in the
tactics of battle to see that war is never the answer.

There
are several hadiths that are sited where the Prophet (pbuh) says that it is not
preferable and there are better ways to resolve issues.

Next
the Imam tackles the topic of children in government custody. The news is
reporting that over 4,000 minor children that were separated at the border have
been abused while in government custody.

There
are thousands of children that have been taken from the parents, some that they
have lost track of the parents and may never be reunited, but beyond that some
4,500 of them have been sexually abused while in the custody of the US
Government.

All
of this causes Imam Azhar to make a prediction about the laws that surround
sexual abouse and children…what is it? And is he right? You have to listen in
to find out!

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

And introducing
the Venn Network t-shirt and other cool swag, which you can own by heading over
to our Swag section. When
you buy one of these shirts you help, not only support the network, but you
also help support the hosts. The Venn Network is growing, and it is only with
support from listeners – like you – that we can reach those in need of hearing
our message!

This week, B.C. & Mordant welcome Islamic Relief Philippines Head of Mission, Sumayya Sajjad. Sumayya has the pleasure of working with one of the most unique Islamic Relief offices, and our listeners now have the pleasure of hearing about her exciting work.

Sumayya spends some time explaining why it is the IRPH has such a unique challenge. The Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands and has suffered from an unimaginable number of typhoons, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and other natural disasters.
Due to its location along the Ring of Fire, or typhoon belt, the region requires a lot of aid every year.

For Sumayya, who is originally from Pakistan, this situation reminds her of Pakistan, a country that has also suffered a similar fate of many natural disasters in recent history.

One major difference, though, is that the overwhelming majority of the country is not Muslim. In fact, of all the islands, only one has a population that is both Christian and Muslim.

A unique challenge that Sumayya talks about in this episode is dispelling the stereotype that Islamic Relief only helps Muslims. Islamic Relief’s mission is to provide relief regardless of gender, race or religion, but sometimes the name can be misleading. At IRPH, Sumayya has had the pleasure of seeing that misconception disappear when the logo with the masjid on it is the first responder after a typhoon in which all of the victims are Christian.

“In our programs, being Islamic Relief, we have core values,” she says. “Amanah is the accountability perspective and the transparency perspective. We try to focus on that.”

She tells heartwarming stories she has experienced, such as Eid toy drives for non-Muslims. When children are surprised to receive gifts, she explains, “The happiness of Eid is for everybody.”

Tune in to hear more from Sumayya about the importance of building interfaith bridges in the relief sector.

“We are looking forward to work on the interfaith harmony and to focus on the issues,” she says, “not only for the Muslims but for the Christians too, and to link it with the livelihoods and other basic needs of the people.”

**And now you can reach out to us at our new email address: warp@irusa.org!**

“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge& Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!

This week, B.C. and Mordant chat with Imran Madden, the UK Director of Islamic Relief.

In the episode, he shares from his wealth of experience as an aid worker. When asked what he enjoys most, he says it is simply talking about the amazing work Islamic Relief does. He gets the most joy from conveying the true impact of donations based on what he has seen with his own two eyes.

And he has seen a lot.

Sights from remote parts of Africa, from tragic and conflict ridden parts of the Middle East, and from deep within the mountains of Pakistan. He describes to listeners how charity work is not always what it seems to the public. Like how two Christian aid workers, working for IRUSA in Kenya, were killed in the line of duty in conflict with so-called Muslim militia.

He also speaks about a new fundraising phenomenon among Muslim college students called Charity Week, a 100% volunteer led campaign of Islamic Relief in which Muslim Students’ Associations (MSAs) raise money for orphans and needy children for one week a year. He describes how motivating the youth are, and how even seasoned aid workers are not exactly sure why the program is so successful. In the end, they chalk it up to God’s blessings.

“It’s one of those wonderful examples in a very difficult climate,” he says. “We’re all nervous about the future and it’s great to see young Muslims confident and full of self-belief.”

“We’ve forgotten how to be positive.” he says.

Imran also has incredible stories about his time in the field and meeting people who, on paper, should be struggling on all levels. “If you and I were dropped into those circumstances, we would be struggling,” he says. But they were the happiest people on the planet. They were relaxed, they were wonderfully warm. They would share their food without even thinking. It’s just so instinctive and so kind.”

He describes seeing the impact of water projects in Africa on women and the chaos of disaster zones like Bosnia in 1995. Everywhere he went, he saw the deep levels of gratitude.

Tune in for your weekly dose of inspiration, and reignite your motivation to do good.

“Never underestimate the contribution you make,” Imran says. “Never underestimate the hour or two hours you give on the weekend. Never think that someone else is going to do the good deed. You are uniquely placed as the individual to do something. Don’t leave it to the other person.”

**And now you can reach out to us at our new email address: warp@irusa.org!**

“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge& Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!

This week B.C. & Mordant welcome Naser Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide. Naser has travelled across 35 countries to help deliver aid where it is needed the most. He shares his insights with our listeners.

Naser spends some time explaining just what it is that Islamic Relief aims to do. In doing so, he debunks some common perceptions, such as the duration of time the organization stays in emergency zones. When Islamic Relief deploys for an emergency, be it a natural or manmade disaster, the organization stays much longer than people would expect. After responding to the emergency, the work continues: rebuilding schools, hospitals—starting over.

“Wherever there is trouble, most probably we are there,” he says, after listing some of the places that he has visited recently: Pakistan, Kashmir, Myanmar, Somalia, and Mosul, Iraq.

Throughout all of his visits, one thing rings true: the people are always grateful. “When you are responding to emergency and disaster, people have almost nothing,” he says. “Anything you give them, they are happy with it.”

In this episode, Naser shares a story of an interaction with one elderly woman from Nepal who told him she had everything she needed. “That was shocking to me,” he says, “because there was nothing there other than the bed, bare floor, and a bit of tent and plastic sheeting. And she was happy with what she had.”

He also shares the challenges of relief work, such as not being able to get support for a cause that is not in the media. “If it’s not in the headlines, we tend to forget,” he says. “We have problems engaging the public because the media is not behind us.”

One prime example is Yemen, a place that is not getting the support or coverage it needs despite the fact that 80% of the population is in need of some sort of humanitarian aid.

Tune in to hear more from Naser and to learn about the important work Islamic Relief is doing all over the world. Most importantly, find out how you can get involved!

**And now you can reach out to us at our new email address: warp@irusa.org!**

“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge& Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!